Bees, wasps and ants (Hymenoptera)

Hymenoptera are one of the largest insect groups, with about 5,000 Danish species, including bees, wasps and ants. The wings have an intricate pattern of veins – hence the group's Danish name, “Årevingede” (“vein-wings”). Like butterflies, they go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The females have an ovipositor, which they use to lay their eggs. In the most advanced forms – bees, bumblebees and wasps – it has developed into a sting, which is used for defence

More photos

Field Cuckoo Bee (Bombus campestris) – Seen on the dike in August on Tansy

Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus Lapidarius) – Seen on the dike in August on Perforate St John's-wort

Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) – Seen on the dike in August on Perforate St John's-wort

White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum) – Seen at the summer house in July on Mint

Red-tailed Cuckoo Bee (Bombus Rupestris) – Seen in the plantation in June on Thistle

Blood bee (Sphecodes sp.) – Seen on the dike in August

Blood bee (Sphecodes sp.) – Seen on the dike in August on Tansy

Red Wasp (Vespula rufa) – Seen on the dike in August on Tansy

Giant Woodwasp (Urocerus gigas) – Seen laying eggs at the summer house in August

Potter wasp (Eumenes pedunculatus) – Seen on the dike in August on Tansy

Potter wasp (Eumenes pedunculatus) – double clay pot for the eggs – Seen on the dike in April on Heather

Potter wasp (Eumenes pedunculatus) – Seen on the dike in August on Tansy

Sabre Wasp (Rhyssa persuasoria) – Seen at the summer house in May

Red-banded Sand Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa) – Seen at the summer house in August on Mint

Red-banded Sand Wasp (Ammophila sabulosa) – Seen at the summer house in July on Mint

Sawfly, unidentified (Arge sp.) – Pair seen in the plantation in June

Sawfly (Arge pullata) – Larvae seen in the plantation in August on Birch

Red Wood Ant (Formica rufa) – Seen in the plantation in April